SEATTLE - When the city of Seattle held a "car free" event last weekend on a street near Volunteer Park, 13 cars were towed away and 21 drivers got tickets.

KING

Car-free days is part of Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels' campaign to encourage people to walk, bike or take mass transit.

Now city officials have agreed to pay the towing fees and turn the tickets into warnings.

The mayor's spokesman, Alex Fryer, says the city is giving drivers a break because it was supposed to be a fun event.

The city holds its second "car free" day Sunday on Rainier Avenue South. The city Transportation Department is calling residents and visiting merchants to warn them to clear the street.

"We don't want the focus of the car-free day to be about parking and towing," said spokesman Rick Sheridan.